Defending national champion Kirkwood was seeded second for the 16-team national tournament in pairings released Tuesday morning by the NJCAA.

Coach Kim Muhl's second-ranked Eagles (31-3) meet No. 15 seed Gogebic Community College (17-13) out of Ironwood, Mich. at 3 p.m. next Tuesday in the first round at Pioneer Pavillion in Harrison, Ark.

A win in the opener would move Kirkwood into the quarterfinals at 8 p.m. on Wednesday against the North Arkansas/Bryant & Stratton, Wisc. winner.

Top-ranked Monroe Community College (29-2) out of Rochester N.Y. is the top seed. The Lady Tribunes, third-place finishers in last season's national tournament, open play on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against No. 16 seed Harcum.